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  System and method for determining a compensation factor suitable for correcting an attenuated signal in a conductorUSPTO Application #: 20060167642Title: System and method for determining a compensation factor suitable for correcting an attenuated signal in a conductor Abstract: A system for estimating a length of a conductor (110) having a first end (111) and a second end (112) includes a device (120) capable of placing an electric signal on the conductor, an impedance element (130) that maintains the electric signal within a predetermined voltage range, and a timer (140). The device places the electric signal on the conductor such that the electric signal travels along the conductor from the first end to the second end and back to the first end. The timer determines a time required for the electric signal to travel along the conductor from the first end to the second end and back to the first end. The length of the conductor may be estimated based on the time. A compensation factor may be determined based on the length or the time, and may be used to compensate for signal attenuation in the conductor. (end of abstract) Agent: Kenneth A. Nelson Bryan Cave LLP - Phoenix, AZ, US Inventors: Vincent J. Ferrer, Jack E. Priebe, Randy J. King USPTO Applicaton #: 20060167642 - Class: 702079000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, Or Testing, Measurement System In A Specific Environment, Electrical Signal Parameter Measurement System, Time-related Parameter (e.g., Pulse-width, Period, Delay, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060167642. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to electrical signal transmission in electronic systems, and relates more particularly to compensation for signal attenuation in electronic systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Electronic systems, such as computer systems, rely for proper operation on the transmission of electric signals among the various components of the system. In a computer system, for example, electric signals must be transmitted between the computer and a keyboard, a video monitor, a mouse, and any other peripheral electronic devices coupled to the computer. The phrase "peripheral device" will be used herein to mean any electronic device coupled to a computer or forming a part of any electronic system, including a keyboard, a video monitor, and a mouse. [0003] Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to place the computer in one location and to place the peripheral devices in another location separated from the computer's location by a certain distance. Category 5 (CAT5) cable or similar cable is often used for the purpose of carrying electric signals between the computer and the peripheral devices. It is well known that an electric signal becomes attenuated as it travels along a cable, and that the degree of attenuation is directly proportional to the length of the cable. Such attenuation can be compensated for by appropriately boosting or otherwise filtering the electric signal in order to return it to its original characteristics. The amount of compensation required in order to properly filter an electric signal will be referred to herein as a "compensation factor." The term "filter signal" will be used herein to refer to the supplemental electric signal that, when added to the electric signal, compensates for any attenuation and restores the electric signal to its original characteristics. The filter signal for a particular electric signal is generated by a device or a circuit that has been configured by taking into account the compensation factor. [0004] A reason for wanting to compensate for attenuated electrical signals becomes apparent when an analog, high-resolution video signal, for example, is transmitted along a long series of conductors. As cable length increases, the video signal becomes increasingly distorted and blurry, leading to user fatigue and loss of usefulness of the video signal. [0005] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a well known method for measuring the length of a conductor is to use various forms of a Time Domain Reflectometer, or TDR. A TDR is capable of taking extremely high accuracy measurements, but the expense and manual intervention required are prohibitive where an inexpensive and automatic method can be used. An automatic compensation system is desirable because it requires less user intervention than a manual compensation system. However, while they function well, the existing automatic compensation systems are expensive and complicated. Accordingly, there exists a need for a simple and inexpensive system and method capable of automatically determining a compensation factor and/or a filter signal needed to compensate for an attenuated electric signal in an electronic system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in the drawings in which: [0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for estimating a length of a conductor according to an embodiment of the invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a graph depicting a relationship between voltage and time within the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; and [0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining a compensation factor suitable for correcting an attenuated signal in a conductor according to an embodiment of the invention. [0010] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements. [0011] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. [0012] The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] In one embodiment of the invention, a system for estimating a length of a conductor having a first end and a second end comprises a device capable of placing an electric signal on the conductor, an impedance element, such as a resistor or an inductor, electrically coupled to the conductor, and a timer. (The impedance element may at times be referred to herein as a resistor, a resistive element, an inductor, or an inductive element. All such terms should be thought of as interchangeable herein, except where the context indicates otherwise.) The device places the electric signal on the conductor at the first end such that the electric signal travels along the conductor from the first end to the second end and back to the first end. The impedance element maintains certain transitions of the electric signal within a predetermined voltage range, as further explained below. The timer determines a time required for the electric signal to travel along the conductor from the first end to the second end and back to the first end. The length of the conductor may be determined based on the time. A compensation factor may be determined based on the length or the time, and the compensation factor may be used, if needed, to compensate for or correct a signal attenuation in the conductor. [0014] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system 100 for estimating a length of a conductor 110 according to an embodiment of the invention. The word "estimating" is used herein so as to make it clear that the length measurements obtained using system 100 may only be accurate to within a certain margin of error. In one embodiment, for example, system 100 may only be able to estimate the length of conductor 100 to within fifty feet. However, a length estimate having the stated level of accuracy is often sufficient. [0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, system 100 comprises a conductor 110, a device 120 capable of placing an electric signal on conductor 110, an impedance element 130, and a timer 140, each of which will be further described below. [0016] Conductor 110 comprises an end 111 and an end 112 opposite end 111. Conductor 110, in the illustrated embodiment, is one of a pair of wires forming what is known as an unshielded twisted pair (UTP). A conductor 115 in FIG. 1 is the other wire of the pair. In at least one embodiment, conductor 115 is grounded. [0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, end 112 of conductor 110 is unterminated, or electrically floating. In another embodiment, end 112 may be electrically coupled, as will be further explained below. Device 120 generates the electric signal at the first end of conductor 110 such that the electric signal travels or propagates along conductor 110 from end 111 to end 112 and back to end 111. In the illustrated embodiment, device 120 comprises a microprocessor, such as a Silicon Labs C8051F320, having an input port 121, which has a threshold voltage referred to herein as an input threshold voltage, and an output port 122. In a non-illustrated embodiment, device 120 instead comprises an arrangement of timers, counters, and/or other electrical or mechanical components capable of generating an electric signal on conductor 110 and measuring the time delay, i.e., the time required for the electric signal to travel along the conductor from end 111 to end 112 and back to end 111, in the manner described above. However, notwithstanding the available alternatives, device 120 will be referred to hereinafter as microprocessor 120. [0018] As an example, system 100 may be used in conjunction with a KVM system in which a KVM switch 190 communicates with a plurality of computers, including a computer 180. In that embodiment, KVM switch 190 contains a microprocessor, referred to herein as a KVM microprocessor, which controls the communication with the plurality of computers. In a typical KVM system, such communication takes place over CAT5 or similar cable, including cable known in the art as CAT5e and CAT6. The term "CAT5," or "CAT5 cable," will be used herein to refer to all types of UTP cable, including, but not limited to, CAT5, CAT5e, and CAT6. [0019] Referring still to the typical KVM system, a plurality of CAT5 cables extend between the KVM switch and a plurality of computers or peripheral devices, each of which computers or peripheral devices contain or are connected to their own microprocessors. Often these microprocessors, referred to herein as host microprocessors, are contained within a dongle plugged into or otherwise connected to the computer or peripheral device. Microprocessor 120 in FIG. 1 is an example of such a host microprocessor. The host microprocessors are responsible for communicating with the KVM microprocessor, and also for emulating keyboard, video, and/or mouse signaling to the computer or peripheral devices to which they are connected. In an embodiment where the cables extend between the KVM switch and the peripheral devices, the KVM system is often referred to as a console extender. [0020] Microprocessor 120 exists in the typical KVM system, in order to perform the described functions, whether or not the KVM system is equipped with system 100. Accordingly, system 100 may be added to a typical KVM system very easily and inexpensively. All that need be added to the typical KVM system is resistor 130, the cost of which is negligible. Continue reading... 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